WSU Vancouver graduate’s journey to the world’s premier creative festival

When Sophia Baumann walked across the stage to receive her diploma with summa cum laude distinction from Washington State University Vancouver this spring, she knew her education had prepared her for success. What she didn’t know was that her professor had one more lesson in store—and this one would take her all the way to the French Riviera.

Baumann, a standout student in WSU Vancouver’s Strategic Communication program, was invited by her professor, Tina Mulqueen, to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity—the world’s most prestigious gathering of creative professionals. This rare opportunity for a recent graduate comes as a result of Baumann’s exceptional academic performance and the strong mentorship culture fostered by WSU Vancouver faculty.

“Sophia consistently demonstrated a level of strategic thinking and attention to detail that set her apart,” said Professor Mulqueen, founder of Kindred PR and a respected industry veteran. “I knew that exposing her to the caliber of talent at Cannes Lions would be a transformative experience for her career.”

At Cannes, Baumann wasn’t just an observer. She was an active participant in Converge @ Cannes, an exclusive event hosted by Mulqueen’s Kindred PR. This summit within the festival brought together luminaries from companies such as Meta, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft to discuss the future of media and creativity.

“It still feels so surreal,” Baumann said. “I was excited to learn from and network with some of the most innovative minds in the industry. Getting to be a part of such a prestigious event, weeks after graduating was a dream come true.”

This story of opportunity isn’t unique to Baumann. It’s a testament to WSU Vancouver’s commitment to not just educating students, but launching careers. Professors like Mulqueen, with deep industry connections and a genuine investment in student success, are the norm rather than the exception.

“We strive to blur the lines between the classroom and the professional world,” said Mulqueen. “When our students succeed, it’s a win for all of us at WSU Vancouver.”

Baumann’s journey ended with a job offer and serves as an inspiring reminder to current and prospective students: at WSU Vancouver, your professors aren’t just teaching from textbooks—they’re opening doors to the world’s stage.

Baumann’s WSU Vancouver education gave her a first-class ticket to a bright future. And for the faculty at WSU Vancouver, that’s the greatest reward of all.